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Uruguay 2-1 South Korea

Now it starts to get really interesting. Time-wise, we’re halfway through the World Cup, game-wise we’re three-quarters done. But drama-wise, I reckon we’re on about 10%. I’m Jonathan Stevenson and you’re back in Johannesburg, the footballing city of dreams. We’re all dreamers now.

11:21Commentary

We’ve shedded 16 of the 32 teams, and today sees the start of the round of the last 16, to give it its grand title. Here’s the deal: 90 minutes of action, then 30 minutes of extra-time (no silver/golden goals, thank goodness), then a penalty shootout. If those last two words don’t send a shiver down your spine and terrify you to your very soul, you’re in the wrong place.

11:26Commentary

Our first contest today takes place in Port Elizabeth as 1930 and 1950 winners Uruguay take on 2002 semi-finalists South Korea at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Our kick-off is 1500 BST, so there’s plenty of time for some World Cup chat before we properly get going.

Did anyone catch last night's action? So Spain made it through, but they've not sparked into life like they did at Euro 2008 yet. Stunning finish from David Villa, but what on earth was Claudio Bravo doing? I can imagine Alan Hansen screaming 'ROW Z!' as he raced off his line. And poor Switzerland - has a World Cup campaign ever started so brilliantly yet finished so dismally?

Twitter

From nanaloa2001: "It's the USA v USA today. United States of America v United States of Africa. USA 1-2 Ghana."

11:45Commentary

The latest news on the small matter of Germany v England on Sunday is this: Ledley King trained on Saturday, so he's in the reckoning for Fabio Capello's starting line-up. The Germans are in disarray (they aren't really), with Cacau ruled out and Bastian Schweinsteiger a major doubt.

606

From Joey J: "Reckon this first game will produce goals. Luiz Suarez and Diego Forlan are too deadly for it not to!"

11:54Commentary

Be still my beating heart. Chile legend Ivan Zamorano has had this to say on his country's last-16 clash with Brazil: "I think Marcelo Bielsa's boys are ready for anything. You can always dream of going as far as possible." In France 1998, this man sang his country's national anthem like he really meant it, I'll never forget. What a hero.

From LandanMacBoi_91: "I truly believe both South Korea and Japan have proven the rise of football in Asia - can see both progressing to last eight!"

12:10Commentary

There is some furious internet reaction to Fernando Torres this morning after the Spanish striker's role in the sending off of Chile's Marco Estrada in Pretoria on Friday. It appears as though the Liverpool man clipped his own heel as he went down just before Spain's second goal, before Estrada was shown a second yellow and a red. What was almost as bad was Gerard Pique running to the ref brandishing an imaginary card and when he saw the red come out, he went off to celebrate his team's goal. Totally unsavoury.

12:12Commentary

I'm hoping that might get you talking. I've been here an hour, and you've been eerily quiet. IT'S THE WORLD CUP, come on!!

From Sinhealer: "I really do not see why everyone is getting on Spain's back. Chile were putting in some horrid challenges last night and should have had two or three players sent off. Alonso almost needed two stretchers on, one for him and one for his foot."

Calum, Nigeria: "I’ll be supporting Germany on Sunday. Is it strange that I feel less nervous now that Paul the Octopus is on my side?"

12:34Commentary

Hang on a sec, a Mexican journalist has just asked me for my last 16 predos, be with you in a moment. Clearly he doesn't know my history with these things.

12:40Commentary

Well that's that, then. I reckon our eight quarter-finalists will be Uruguay, Ghana, England, Argentina, Netherlands, Brazil, Paraguay and Spain. I make it two shootouts, but there won't be one needed in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Twitter

From MuseLuver: "Gonna have to use a famous American football saying: "Any Given Sunday, anything can happen". Sums up England's chances."

"People said we were a disaster, the worst team they'd ever seen, now they're saying we're an excellent team. We have the same players so you shouldn't believe everything you hear. I keep saying the others are favourites and we're here to fight but now this is a fight for history because when the roads become short and narrow, this is where history really begins."

13:00CommentaryStevo's Predo:

Uruguay 2-1 South Korea

SMS

James, Kent: "Hey Stevo, my psychic squid predicts a Uruguay win and a Ghana win. The squid also reckons one of the games will be decided on penalties, but it's hard to tell with psycho-squid."

Famously hard to read, those psycho squids.

13:09Commentary

OK, confession time: I've got a soft spot for Uruguay. I holidayed briefly in the country earlier this year with the current Mrs Stevo, our time there coinciding neatly with the inauguration of president Jose Mujica in Montevideo. It was a fabulous night of partying for the locals, who seemed to love their new leader. Why? Possibly because he said this: "What is important in life is to work as little as possible so we can enjoy it more." Legend.

13:11Commentary

In a shocking twist, it turns out the journalist I did the predos for between 12:34 and 12:40 was Russian, not Mexican. It seems I owe Artur Petrosyan an apology. Let's hope I have more success with the scores, unlikely though that is.

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From SaffaSpur: "Good luck to Ghana and Germany. This has been a good World Cup so far and is now going to get very interesting."

13:17CommentaryEngland coach Fabio Capello:

"Matthew Upson has played well, Jamie Carragher has played well and Ledley King has played well - that's more or less the only decision I need to make, who partners John Terry."

13:22Commentary

I think Zinedine Zidane is probably rooting for Uruguay today too. Zidane fell in love with the great Uruguayan Enzo Francescoli when he played for Marseille from 1989-90, and even named his son Enzo. Francescoli played in four games at the 1990 World Cup as Uruguay reached the last 16 - until now, the last time they had got to this stage.

James, Wales: "Diego is sounding more and more like David Brent everytime I hear him."

13:36Commentary

I know there's a little bit of tennis and a little bit of F1 going on right now, but come on, you can do better than this. It's URUGUAY v SOUTH KOREA and it's socially acceptable to get massively involved in it! Get the texts coming in to 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide);get the tweets in @Stevo_football and get typing away on 606. I can only lead you to the well.

13:39Commentary

By the way, our second potential humdinger of the day takes place in Rustenburg, where 1930 semi-finalists USA (it could have been England) take on Ghana, who reached this stage four years ago, at 1930 BST. The Americans (it could have been the English) won Group C, famously - the last time they topped their group was indeed 80 years ago. Uh-oh, the omens have started already.

13:43CommentaryMichel D'Hooghe, head of Fifa's medical committee:

"We've seen less injuries than at other World Cups so far, so our prevention campaigns have worked. And I have also seen an improvement of fair play on the pitch. Overall, the refereeing is good, but it could be improved. The World Cup stands as an example for the next four years."

Line-ups and team news on the way shortly from the first last-16 clash of the round, Uruguay v South Korea at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. If you're there, do drop us a line, we'd be ever so grateful.

606

From Lelinho: "I think players showing the ref he needs to give a card need to get a yellow card. I disagree with Fifa, the reffing has been sub-standard. Of all the red cards seen, maybe one was justifiable."

It's happy days for Asian football, with two of their teams making it to the last 16 (South Korea and Japan) - the first time the continent has had two countries reaching the knockout stage in a World Cup it did not host. But can the Koreans repeat their semi-final showing from 2002?

SMS

Mark in Berlin: "Having just moved to Germany, must tell you that the mood for the match tomorrow is one of quiet confidence. They all respect the English and know that if England start brightly their young team will suffer."

From redmanlfc2005: "I fancy Japan or South Korea to make the semi-finals."

14:10Commentary

I regret to announce that, along with a colleague, I lost a game of table football to our German equivalents this very morning in Joburg. We went down 5-3, with a brace of unfortunate own goals doing for us in the end. Typically, they’d been practising, although there was no sign of any towels on the table when we arrived. Only game those Germans will be winning this weekend. Isn't it?

14:13CommentaryEngland's James Milner:

"I think the last few days have brought everyone closer together. When things aren't going well, that's when you have to pull together and when it's make-or-break time."

14:17CommentaryUruguay v South Korea team news:

Uruguay bring defender Diego Godin back into the starting line-up after he recovered from a hamstring strain. Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez will lead the attack for the South American side. South Korea also make only one change with midfielder Yeom Ki-Hun replacing Kim Jae-Sung.

ContributorBBC World Service's Vladimir Hernandez

From Twitter - Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira says: "it doesn't matter if it's Brazil or South Korea, the rivals at this stage are all good."

Er, I'll get back to you on that, Alvaro.

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From Robsoninho: "I'm really looking forward to this game, even if neither of these teams are classed in the 'world elite'. Both teams looked bright in the group stages, both showed attacking intent, and both played football in the right way. I can see goals in this, especially with Uruguay playing three strikers again."

14:26CommentaryMore from Argentina coach Diego Maradona:

"South America will never be more of a power than Europe. The best prize South America has is to know that we give all the clubs in the world great players. And we ask that when those players get to the national teams, the clubs return them to us with the time and care with which we hand them over to them."

SMS

From Nicki: "I’m in Seoul at the moment and everyone is going wild. My mother-in-law is South Korean and says she doesn’t really care what happens tonight, she’s just happy the North Koreans didn’t win a game!"

14:34CommentaryUruguay coach Oscar Tabarez:

"Apparently, our matches are being watched in schools and in shopping malls, and children and young people are following us back home. There seems to be a link between this team and the people of Uruguay. They feel represented by these players. We don't want to build castles in the sky, but we are certainly not going to give up on anything."

14:36CommentaryKorea Republic coach Huh Jung-Moo:

“We have let in lots of goals, but we can make up for that by scoring twice every time we lose a goal. We are doing our best to work on that. There are possibilities open to everyone. The ball is always round. Italy and France, teams like that, can always lose, and unexpected teams can win."

Twitter

From footy_fever: "Diego Forlan has been one of the best players in this tournament so far - expecting him to be key for Uruguay today."

14:41Commentary

The players are going through their warm-up paces in Port Elizabeth - the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium looks half empty at the moment, but there are plenty of groups of red (South Korea) and blue (Uruguay) dotted around.

14:43CommentaryUruguay captain Diego Lugano:

"We'll keep dreaming of a huge performance in this championship. We've shown a maturity which gives us a lot of confidence. We have to play in an optimistic mood."

14:46CommentarySouth Korea captain Park Ji-Sung:

"We don't have a clear conviction of how far we can go. But in 2002, we made it to the semi-finals and I don't think that was just because it was on home ground. We will do our best to prove that was not the case. I can't compare this team to the 2002 team. That was the best team in our history."

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From deez08: "The favourites don't always win. That's why the game is fantastic, you just never know what will happen. An injury here, a red card there and everything changes."

14:50Commentary

Unless an awful lot of people turn up very, very quickly, the first last-16 game at the 2010 World Cup will be played in front of nothing more than a half-full stadium. In no way, shape or form is that good enough.

14:52Commentary

The teams are on their way out, so I might try calm down (for a minute). You want a brilliant stat? Our friends at Infostrada Sports tell us that the last time Uruguay and South Korea won in the last 16 at the World Cup, they did so thanks to 117th-minute winners. Have some of that.

German referee Wolfgang Stark gets the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup under way in Port Elizabeth.

2 minsCommentary

By the way, if you've got a question for legendary commentator John Motson, he's indulging you in another Twitter Q&A right now.

3 minsCommentary

South Korea have made a lively start, but no chances as of yet. I just cannot believe it's nothing like full for one of the biggest games of these players' careers.

5 minsHITS THE WOODWORK

Fabulous. Park Chu-Young takes an age over a free-kick from 25 yards, left of centre, but it's worth the wait as he whips it up and over the wall only for the ball to strike the outside of Fernando Muslera's right-hand post. Closest Uruguay have come to conceding in the tournament.

6 minsCommentary

Half an opening at the other end, but Diego Forlan doesn't quite catch a left-foot volley from 20 yards cleanly and it's an easy pick up for Jung Sung-Ryong.

8 minsGOALUruguay 1-0 South Korea

Crazy goalkeeping and South Korea have paid the price. Diego Forlan crosses from the left along the six-yard box and for some inexplicable reason Jung Sung-Ryong comes for it, leaves it, and then looks on aghast as Luis Suarez has the simple task of slotting into an empty net at the back post. Surreal.

11 minsCommentary

I've watched it 10 times already, but there is nothing about that goal I understand. You know, I'm not sure I ever will.

606

From IonicJohn: "Awful, awful goalkeeping. You simply cannot afford these kind of childish mistakes. Still early in the game and Korea have no choice now but to open up and attack."

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Pat Nevin

"The keeper should have got that cross - it was along the ground, maybe he thought it was going out for a goal kick, handing Luis Suarez the opportunity to score. That goal was all down to brilliant build-up work from Diego Forlan."

15 minsCommentary

Uruguay are enjoying the better of it right now, the South Koreans look a little shell-shocked at that goal. They're not the only ones, but there is plenty of time for them to fight back.

18 minsCommentary

Better from South Korea, but Lee Chung-Yong cannot keep the ball in down their left. They are at least having a spell of possession, though.

SMS

From Vietnam: "Big party for Korean people here since the afternoon. Korea seems very naive against an experienced South American team and conceded an easy goal. Anyway, Korean people here still singing and cheering loud."

21 minsCommentary

They do play some good stuff, Uruguay. Jorge Fucile plays a lovely one-two down the left and goes to cross, but Cha Du-Ri gets across to cover quickly and prevent the ball getting into the South Korean box.

24 minsCommentary

Park Chu-Young turns well on the edge of the Uruguay box, but his attempted left-foot volley never materialises as a defender nicks the ball away from his. Uruguay break with pace and sjkill and Maxi Pereira's left-foot effort is booted away by a South Korea defender.

27 minsCommentary

South Korea are probing away, but this Uruguay defence looks very comfortable indeed. Remember they didn't concede a goal in the group stage - and the last team to do that and win the tournament was England in 1966.

28 minsOFFSIDE

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez is flagged offside as he races through unmarked - it was tight, and he looks a serious threat today.

Twitter

From Tosinomoyeni: "Would love to see Uruguay go all the way, maybe Arsene would consider giving Luis Suarez a look?"

32 minsCommentary

Great stuff from Park Chu-Young as he drifts in from the South Korea right and unleashes a terrific 25-yard drive that flies narrowly past Fernando Muslera's right-hand post.

34 minsCommentary

We're in a proper game here - South Korea are continuing their patient build-up play, while Uruguay look quick and dangerous when they hit them on the break. Next goal's pretty important, as pundits say when they're trying to fill air time.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Pat Nevin

"The ball is bobbling about on this pitch, but it doesn't seem to be affecting the players so far. However, potential rain may change things in the second half."

38 minsYELLOW CARD

A South Korean cross from the left threatens to cause trouble briefly, but Fernando Muslera gathers comfortably in the end. Soon after we have our first booking, for a naughty two-footed challenge from Kim Jung-Woo.

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From CescVanClichy: "The South Koreans look really good. Think they deserve a goal. I'm enjoying this game. Also does the pitch look like as if someone was digging for truffles."

41 minsCommentary

Cha Du-Ri marauds forward from right-back for South Korea and lets fly with a vicious dipper from 30 yards, but with Fernando Muslera furiously backpeddaling the ball sails over his bar.

43 minsCommentary

South Korea are easily the better side here, you know. Uruguay have offered precious little since their goal - he says, as Luis Suarez fires goalwards from just inside the South Korea area and it seems to hit a hand before the trailing team clear.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Pat Nevin

"We've not seen that much dip with this Jabulani ball so far - but Cha Du-Ri got plenty on that shot."

45 minsINJURY TIME

We're into a minute of added time, just after Cha Du-Ri smashes another shot over the Uruguay bar. Meanwhile, after a replay of that penalty shout, it looks like Uruguay may have had a case.

15:46HALF-TIMEUruguay 1-0 South Korea

Well, Uruguay lead, but they have been second best for much of that half - only a howler from South Korea keeper Jung Sung-Ryong allows them to take a slender advantage into the dressing-room.

On Twitter: "Kaka, Elano and Robinho are back in training today. No sign of injuries. But Brazilian doctor is worried with Julio Baptista and Felipe Melo. Both might be out of business on Monday."

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Pat Nevin

"The first 20 minutes or so, Uruguay were the better team but I wonder if the goal changed the game because the Koreans have come back well. I don't know whether it's because most of these Uruguay players have had long seasons in Europe, but there are a couple of South Americans with heavy legs at the moment. If you had a bet on which team is fitter, then the South Koreans would win every time."

From EmJayLambert: "Translating your predo back to English gives 'Korea is already live far enough away, demonstrating a very exciting football'."

Ah. Pretty sure that's not what I said.

16:01IT'S RAININGUruguay 1-0 South Korea

Back under way in Port Elizabeth where it is raining quite heavily at the moment. The South Koreans have a pre-second half huddle, while Uruguay take off Diego Godin and send on Mauricio Victorino.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Conor McNamara

"It is teeming down with rain here in Port Elizabeth - and that's bound to affect this already cut-up pitch."

48 minsCommentary

Luis Suarez tries to shoot from 25 yards, but he scuffs it a bit, takes a bit of the pitch with him and the ball bobbles through to Jung Sung-Ryong in the South Korea goal.

50 minsCommentary

Brilliant run down the left for South Korea by Lee Young-Pyo, but as Park Chu-Young tries to latch on to his cross inside the six-yard box, Jorge Fucile is in the right place at the right time to clear.

51 minsCommentary

That's a fabulous chance. A cross pumped into the Uruguay box is headed into the air by Diego Lugano and it falls perfectly for Park Chu-Young - but he can only volley well over frm 12 yards, much to coach Huh Jung-Moo's frustration.

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From Alexandereski: "(See 15:51) According to that site, you're a nice young man who has a steady job, and is looking for a nice lady with all her own teeth."

Aren't we all, son, aren't we all.

55 minsCommentary

Uruguay are playing a very dangerous game here. They are sitting back and inviting South Korea on to them, as Park Chu-Young has yet another shot, this one from 18 yards blocked by a defender.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Pat Nevin

"You can talk about light balls, bobbles on the pitch or whatever, but you have to get a chance like Park's volley on target. The shot was two yards over the bar - if that was on target it would have taken the goalkeeper's head off."

58 minsCommentary

Rare break for Uruguay as Luis Suarez darts in-between two defenders down the right, but Jung Sung-Ryong rushes from his line to gather. Bet he wishes he'd done that in the eighth minute.

58 minsCommentary

A cross from the South Korea right is met by the head of Park Ji-Sung, but his effort is well saved by Fernando Muslera. It's all South Korea right now.

60 minsSUBSTITUTION

South Korea make a change, with Kim Jae-Sung taken off and Lee Dong-Gook going on in his place. Can they catch a break?

606

From barrymanulow: "If South Korea go out of this World Cup today they cannot say it's from a lack of chances. They create loads and finish nothing."

64 minsCommentary

Still South Korea knock on the door, but still Uruguay will not let them in. Oscar Tabarez's side are getting perilously close to a fourth successive clean sheet at the World Cup, unless South Korea can find a goal from somewhere.

67 minsCommentary

Halfway through the half, a period so far in which Uruguay have offered precious little. They are just lumping the ball forward and hoping one of Diego Forlan or Luis Suarez will do something special.

68 minsGOALUruguay 1-1 South Korea

You'll never convince me they don't deserve that. A free-kick floated into the Uruguay box is headed up in the air by Maurico Victorino and it lands about six yards out - where Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong is on hand to get there before Fernando Muslera and nod into the net, with Jorge Fucile failing to hack it off the line.

70 minsCommentary

Now Uruguay are having some pressure, but Diego Forlan's free-kick cross from 45 yards is easily gathered by Jung Sung-Ryong. Up the other end and Lee Chung-Yong has a chance inside the Uruguay area, but his low shot is straight at Fernando Muslera.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Pat Nevin

"South Korea have thoroughly deserved that goal, they have completely controlled the second half."

73 minsCommentary

Chance for Uruguay as Luis Suarez gets away down the right but he cannot hook his foot around the ball enough to pull it back for Diego Forlan and his cross-shot is tipped over the bar.

74 minsCommentary

Oh, Luis Suarez. Uruguay look a decent team all of a sudden and after a corner is cleared they pump it back into the South Korea area - it falls for Suarez six yards out and he's on his own, totally unmarked, but he heads into the floor and wide.

74 minsSUBSTITUTION

Uruguay take off Alvaro Pereira and send on Nicolas Lodeiro.

Twitter

From dprayudi: "With that goal Uruguay have to move the bus and the game will be more lively."

78 minsIT'S RAINING

In our first knockout match of the World Cup, we stand a matter of a few minutes away from extra-time. It's absolutely smashing down with rain in Port Elizabeth now, too.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Pat Nevin

"We've got a game on. Uruguay need to come out and play now. The rain makes a big difference, it makes things harder under foot for players, but there are a few twist and turns left in this game."

80 minsCommentary

The stadium is nothing like full and the pitch is an absolute disgrace to the World Cup. But the game is on tenterhooks.

80 minsGOALUruguay 2-1 South Korea

Someone is going to spend a lot of money on the boy this summer, and on this basis he's worth it. A Uruguay corner from the right falls for Nicolas Lodeiro on the left-hand edge of the area and he flicks it to Luis Suarez - from then on it's all about the prolific Ajax striker as he creates a yard to shoot and from the edge of the box hits a curling screamer that sizzles in via the left-hand post. Stunning finish on a bog of a pitch.

606

From IAMsterdam: "Just what Suarez has been doing for us all season. Not having a great game but being able to just take his chances. In the penalty area he can be lethal."

84 minsSUBSTITUTION

After six shots, five on target and two goals, Luis Suarez is taken off and replaced by Alvaro Fernandez. Brilliant hand from the Ajax hitman.

86 minsCommentary

South Korea have a few minutes left to save their World Cup campaign. Can they find a second leveller at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium?

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Pat Nevin

"What an absolutely fabulous goal. Luis Saurez was out by the corner of the penalty area but there was so much curl on the ball. Memories of Cristiano Ronaldo."

87 minsCommentary

What a chance for South Korea, will they live to regret that? Park Chu-Young finds Lee Dong-Gook with a stunning pass and he's inside the Uruguay area - but the sub's shot lacks power and after Fernando Muslera's half-save, captain Diego Lugano completes the mopping up job a yard away from his own goalline.

90 minsINJURY TIMEUruguay 2-1 South Korea

We're into stoppage time in Port Elizabeth and as the rain continues to fall out of the sky, South Korea have three minutes to try and find a goal that will keep them in the World Cup.

90 minsCommentary

South Korea are putting pressure on, but they are running out of time quickly. Can they fashion a last-gasp chance?

16:49FULL-TIMEUruguay 2-1 South Korea

Nope, they couldn't. Uruguay are the first team from South America apart from Argentina and Brazil to reach the World Cup quarter-finals since Peru in 1978. Top achievement.

16:51Commentary

Jubilant scenes for the boys in blue in Port Elizabeth, but there are tears before bedtime for some of the South Koreans. Their dream is over for another four years, while Uruguay will now face USA or Ghana on Friday at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

SMS

From Xavier: "South Korea can go out with their heads held high, they entertained us in all their games."

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Pat Nevin

"For me the Koreans have a big weakness - the lack of an out-and-out goalscorer. Uruguay have a couple in Forlan and Suarez, whose winner was worthy of getting through to the quarter-finals."

16:59Commentary

So Luis Suarez has now scored 55 goals in 61 games for club and country this campaign, an astonishing return. Perhaps more importantly, in the race for the Golden Shoe he has joined Gonzalo Higuain, David Villa and Robert Vittek on three goals.

606

From BaldyBlueBrosNoMore: "South Korea were the better team overall and it's not having a proven goalscorer that has been their undoing here. Uruguay have a very suspect defence and look like they will be breached easily by a quality attacking team."

17:06Commentary

Uruguay have reached the last eight of the World Cup for the first time since 1970, when they finished fourth in Mexico. Meanwhile in Bloemfontein, apparently Joachim Loew has refused to turn up for Germany's pre-match news conference because Fifa refused to let them play on the pitch today.

And then there were 15... South Korea's World Cup is over, but Uruguay await the winners of USA v Ghana this evening. Pranav Soneji will be your genial host for the build-up to that game, and I'll see you in just over an hour or so. Nice one.

By Saj Chowdhury

Striker Luis Suarez scored a spectacular winner to earn Uruguay a place in the World Cup quarters-finals at the expense of South Korea.

It will be the first time since 1970 the two-time winners have reached the last eight, although they will feel fortunate to have ended their barren run having spent long periods of the game defending at the rain-drenched Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The South Koreans, who reached the semi-finals in 2002, were effervescent in their attacking third but flaky in defence, and that was exposed as early as the eighth minute.

Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan was fed on the left and played a low ball across the six-yard area which was misjudged by keeper Jung Sung-Ryong and his statuesque defence but not by Suarez at the far post, who calmly slotted in for his second goal of the competition.

But apart from a penalty appeal when Alvaro Pereira's shot appeared to be blocked by the arm of Ki Sung-Yueng, it was the South Koreans who looked most likely to score for the remainder of the match as Uruguay set up camp in their own half.

Many of South Korea's good chances fell to star striker Park Chu-Young who was feverishly looking to add to his goal against Nigeria in the group stages.

And it could have been Uruguay chasing the game as early as the fifth minute had his free-kick curled three inches to the left rather than rattle Fernando Muslera's right-hand post.

The Monaco forward also went close with a fizzing 25-yard effort that swerved two yards wide before smashing a half-volley over the bar from inside the area after the break, when he should have made the Uruguay number one at least flinch.

But the South Koreans' luck finally changed for the better on 68 minutes when, from a free-kick, Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong pounced on Mauricio Victorino's attempted headed clearance, to nod in from eight yards.

It was the first goal Uruguay had conceded in the tournament and they came close to conceding a second when Lee Chung-Yong failed to put any venom into his shot inside the area after he was beautifully played in by captain Park Ji-Sung.

With the rain now teeming down inside the Port Elizabeth venue, it appeared that a mistake rather than a piece of skill would win the game - but the quality of 23-year-old Suarez ensured that the match would be remembered for something out of the top drawer.

With 10 minutes remaining, the potent Ajax forward lurked on the fringes of the 18-yard area as a corner was swung in from the right. He cut in from the left before curling in as sweet-a-strike as any in the tournament so far to leave keeper Jung Sung-Ryong rooted as the ball clipped the post on its way in.

The South Koreans pressed and should have taken the game into extra-time, but substitute Lee Dong-Gook's weak shot squirmed under the wet jersey of Muslera before it was comfortably cleared.

Uruguay will now play Ghana in the last eight after the Black Stars beat second round opponents the United States 2-1 after extra-time.

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